A million? Really? Their population is only about 23 million. That means 4-5% of households.

[Scuba]

[Logical]

1. This is very interesting. Is there a link to the cost/savings ratio for these panels. I think....

it sounds cool!

[Baitball Blogger]

2. I cannot wait for this to be affordable in the U.S.

Though, it has to come with some kind of hurricane shutters or it will just turn into flying missiles when you need it the most.

[Warren Stupidity]

4. There are plenty of rooftop solar installations in hurricane zones.

If your roof blows off it blows off. Solar panels are not a unique danger.

[Baitball Blogger]

5. Realistically, how much electricity can you get from it?

Can it run an air condition? Or is it still in the heating up the pool stage?

[Warren Stupidity]

6. You seem to being just tossing up objections.

[Baitball Blogger]

8. Hell no.

I've been pushing for one just to heat the pool. If it's affordable enough, who knows?

[Atman]

10. Why would you need solar electric panels to heat the pool?

Solar water heaters are fairly common, and far, far cheaper than solar electric panels. Just a system of circulating pipes and black plastic heating panels.

[Baitball Blogger]

12. I have to override a major objection.

i.e. Hubby. I don't think he likes the idea of a hot pool.

[Atman]

13. LOL! That's a whole different problem.

Admittedly, there have been times when the community pool has become too hot, but system is saving about $10,000 a year in gas bills. You definitly need to be able to bypass the heater, but that means monitoring it regularly, or installing a thermostatic shut off. Assuming a new hubby is not an option.

[Baitball Blogger]

17. Took a long time to break this one in.

Not a chance that I would trade him in for a new model.

[1monster]

20. If you live in Florida, you would need solar panels to cool the pool in the summer...

Quite often the water temp is around 90 degrees or more in the summer. We freeze gallon jugs of water and throw them in the pool at those times...

[roody]

14. Pool heating should not be done with

Electric solar; solar thermal is appropriate.

[jeff47]

24. Depends on a lot of things.

It depends on how much area you can devote to panels, how many panels you actually buy, your climate (ex. number of sunny days), the orientation of your house, your latitude and so on.

In a dry, southern climate (ex. New Mexico) with a lot of south-facing surface one house can generate enough to power about 3-4 houses.

And you don't use photovoltaic cells to heat anything - electric heat is inefficient. If you're looking to heat something, you use solar thermal panels.

[BlueToTheBone]

9. I was thinking of hail. But they are working with plastics

now and also I saw there's a paint being developed.

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

22. The type of panels shown in the OP...

...are not ideal for anywhere that experiences much in the way major winds. I have a 1900 sq ft house with a shingled roof similar to the picture in the OP. To supply 25% of my electric needs would take about 5,000 lbs of panels and mounting supports. I don't know if my roof could take it and I don't know how it would affect the cost of my homeowner's insurance to cover storm damage to the array.

The panels I priced were about $19,500 including shipping. That includes neither installation nor connection. I tend to think this type of option will be useful to supplement regular electricity not to replace it.

(also note that "...powered by the sun." Does not mean "powered ONLY by the sun.&quot

[gateley]

3. K&R!

[MOTRDemocrat]

7. We're not too far off from construction materials that are able to generate power from the sun...

Lots of exciting prospects in renewable energy.

[Atman]

11. They are everywhere up here in New England.

Our town uses them to run everything from the transfer station to the highway department. Many locals farms and even houses have installed huge banks of collectors. Of course, with the benefit of open land, you're not limited to rooftop panels, so there are some pretty huge collectors up here.

[supernova]

15. I would LOVE TO GO SOLAR

for my house. I think I would do well with it. The house is 1300sqf 50s brick ranch, one-story. Clear southern exposure on that side of the house, no trees or other shade.

However, I would need an installer to sit down with me and take me through the initial investment. I'm pretty sure I don't have the initial outlay needed. And I completely don't understand all the tax rebates, writeoffs and so forth. Plus our NC Leg, wacky fucks, are about to repeal it all anyway.

[Gormy Cuss]

16. More like 9-10% of the population

The graphic is a household estimate. Average household size is about 2.4 to 2.6 persons

[treestar]

18. Australia gets a lot of sun

So it's a logical place for it.

[1monster]

21. So does much of the United Staes...

[Tuesday Afternoon]

19. DU Rec

[gejohnston]

23. seems that they use centeralized solar farms

instead of roof top systems like Germany.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_power_in_Australia